AHC, Kandy

(Please visit the website of Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy at ahcikandy.org updated information)

General

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy was established in 1920's as the Office of the Agent of the Government of India with the objective of looking after the welfare of the Indian labour which were brought by British to work at the tea, coffee and rubber plantations set up in upcountry region. The consular jurisdiction of the AHCI, Kandy extends to Central Province (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale Districts), Sabaragamuwa Province (Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts), Badulla District of Uva Province and Kurunegala District of the North Western Province.

There is no other foreign Diplomatic Post in Kandy. British Council and Alliance Française have branches in Kandy. Kandy is 115 Kms from Colombo.

There are about one million persons of Indian origin in the jurisdiction of AHCI, Kandy. Most of them are still working in plantations. Some are traders and teachers also. A few have progressed to set up manufacturing units and large business houses. According to rough estimates, the persons of Indian origin, commonly called Indian Tamils constitute 7% of Sri Lankan population and a majority of them are residing in the consular jurisdiction of AHCI, Kandy. Approximately 2900 OCI cards have been granted to persons of Indian origin by AHCI Kandy. AHCI, Kandy issues about 100 visas every day on average.

Visas & other Consular Services

The Indian Visa Application Centre is located at: 701/A, Peradeniya Road, Kandy

(From Kandy direction, it is on left hand passing Arpico Supercentre and from Colombo side, it is on right hand passing Mulgampola Junction)

Normally all visa applications except those in respect of diplomatic passport holders, urgent cases*, members of Provincial Council and for citizens (including dual nationals) of Bangladesh, China, Israel, South Africa and Nigeria are to be submitted at India Visa Application Centre.

Visa applications are accepted from 0800 to 1300 hrs on all working days.

Applications for India passports, miscellaneous consular services, permission for re-entry into India on a valid visa and those for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) are accepted at the AHCI, Kandy only. Kindly refer to information under ‘Contact Details’ for timings.

Culture

There is a well stocked library with good collection in English and a small collection in Hindi and a reading room in Chancery, which are both open to public. Hindi classes are organised on all week days, starting from last week of February every year until January the succeeding year. Separate batches are run for first 4 levels (out of 8) of proficiency in Hindi; curriculum of Dakshina Bharatiya Hindi Prachar Sabha is followed. The examination for Hindi students is held in February every year. Hindi films (with English subtitles) are shown in the auditorium of AHCI, Kandy once a month on a Saturday afternoon. Bharatiya Kala Kendra of AHCI is also conducting dance classes in Kathak and Bharatnatyam dance forms 2/3 days a week from 1500 hrs to 1700 hrs. Any Sri Lankan national above 6 years of age can enrol for the classes for which only a nominal fee is charged. Please contact us for further information on Hindi classes and dance classes.

If you wish to receive information on cultural programmes held under aegis of AHCI, Kandy, please register your address with us for inclusion in mailing list for invitations.

Contact Details

The Chancery (Assistant High Commission of India) is located at31, Rajapihilla MawathaKandy.

which is about one Kilometre from Kandy Railway Station / Main Bus Stand. If lost for directions, please ask for Indian High Commission as this office is popularly referred to. One can walk up from the Sangharaja Mawatha/Mosque Road junction from where it is a stiff climb of 10 minutes or drive/ride up Rajapihilla Mawatha from this junction passing YMBA, Mayor’s bungalow and Royal Palace Park (West Park) before encountering the office on left. Officers:

Tel: 00-94-81-2222652 / 2223786 (PABX numbers; available 24 hrs. Assistance in English/Sinhalese/Tamil/Hindi is available during office hours and in English/Hindi after office hours for emergency cases) Fax: 00-94-81-2232479

*In case of urgency beyond public hours or on a holiday concerning medical emergency or bereavement in the family, please contact the PABX number. Kindly understand that issue of visa or grant of any service beyond office hours or on a holiday is at the discretion of officer on duty who may satisfy himself/herself of grounds on which an emergency service has been sought. Extra levies apply.